How many of you use multiple track makes on your layout?

I have a mix of Ross, Gargraves, Lionel Super-O, and AtlasO track

All Ross track.

Ross for most of the curves and all but two of the switches, Gargraves flex track for most of the straights and non-standard curves, Atlas O for some straights and for the broad curves on the Double track mainline to get 4.5" center-to-center track spacing plus two double-slip switches because they line up better with Ross #5 switches than Ross' double-slips.  How is that for one sentence.

I do......I have 3 levels that do not interconnect using Mianne Benchwork.

 

Main level: 6X16 using Atlas track and RossBed. 

 

Now for background......from 1993-2003 I had a 14X26 alionel standard O gauge layout......so, I had a ton of track and wooden ties.

 

Bottom level: 6X8 subway......Lionel standard O gauge.....only a 4' section is going to be visible.....and the track will not be seen due to the subway platforms.

 

Top level: 2x16 engine servicing facility. Lionel standard O gauge......it's at my eye level....with extra ties and ballast, it will look fine.....very few people will be looking down on it.

 

Here are a few pics.........the one of the old layout is obvious (he turned 23 on Sunday!)...

 

 

 

 

Peter

I have three distinct levels of tubular; realtrac and scaletrac. I use the realtrac switches with the tubular and realtrax, and scaletrac switches. I probably ended up with the three levels because I already had alot of money tied up in these three types. Each has its advantages & disadvantages, but it works for me.

LOL.  Let's call it a "continuous run-on" sentence.

Strictly Gargraves except for turnouts -- a mix of Curtis, Gargraves, and Ross.

 

 

I use Gargraves and Ross for my lower levels and my upper level is a 5 rail multi-gauge track made of MTH Wide radius standard gauge track combined with Lionel O-72

Scott Smith

Scott Smith

Technically yes and technically no....

 

 This photo is in no way close to current for my layout (guess I'll have to take more!) but it shows that I do have multiple different tracks. I use all Ross switches. I've got some future plans that would likely only work with a piece of tight Gargraves Flex so that will have to be used. 

 

Otherwise I use tubular. 0-27 style for the outer and upper loops and O gauge for the inner. I guess you could argue I use different track types for the layout. 

 

 

My old layout had a more hodge-podge arrangement. The portion on top of the tunnel was 0-27 and a sole 0-27 switch. The main level was a mixture of Ross and 0-27 switches and a mix of 0-27 and O Gauge track. When I did the expansion, I had to use 031 curves. Everyone here said mixing 0-27 and O Gauge track on one loop was going to be a mistake.  I couldn't have asked for better operation (more or less). My sloppy track work caused a few minor issues but I tore the layout down, which I regret, instead of fixing them. 

 

 

 

 

One thing I've seen, perhaps here on the forum, that I really thought was neat was building a modern intermodal, etc type yard where the track was embedded in the concrete road. I've seen someone here on the forum use SuperStreets (or whatever they are called now) and build the pavement up to that. Really looked great. 

0-36"Subway"   Fastrack.

0-84 Fastrack.

0-72  5 rail Gargraves.

0-36  "Top" Fastrack.

 

I went with Fastrack for ease of set up;No ballasting.  5 rail Gargraves to run O side by side and run my standard gauge.

I currently have all Atlas-O track and switches and any planned expansions will use the same track (if they ever make more switches). I have a Lionel Gantry Crane on order that will require either Ross or Gargraves Gantry Crane track (leaning toward Ross) so that will be added in the near future. And this also reminds me I need to get that ordered soon.

When we started the AGHR layout, we used Gargraves track and Ross turnouts. On new alignments, we're using Atlas track, but continue to use Ross turnouts and when people ask for track recommendations, I recommend using Atlas/Ross.

Ross switches. Gar graves track..............paul

Hi Kevin

     My layout is 100% tubular track. K-Line shadow rail. I purchased two cases, when I found out, that production was coming to an end.

     The switches are Lionel O Gauge, and they are now out of production.

I like the sound, that I get from tubular track. I am a Toy Train Layout.

Gary

• Cheers from The

Hi Kevin

  I use Realtrax track and switches to visually separate the main. .Atlas track & switches for the sidings off the main. Scaletrax track switches for the yard

  Gargraves for the helix ,staging loops, and industries.

Galon 

Ross & Gargrave switches on the 3 main lines.

Gargraves track on 2 of the mainlines.

Tubular track on the 1 conventional main line.

 

    Bill T.

 

I don't have a layout at home. At my club we use all Gargrave Track with Ross, Curtis, and Gargrave switches. The remaining Gargrave switches are being replaced over time with Ross for better reliability. We like Gargrave Track due to it's realistic look. The wooden ties insulate the rails as well as look good. The flex track allows us to better contour the track to the available space. We are not limited to standard diameter turns.

I use all Atlas track and switches.  I have considered using Ross switches for special needs but so far have adapted Atlas to the tasks.

 

Art

I have Lionel Fastrack for my mainlines, and Atlas O for my mountain branch line, and I use Kato HO track for my On30 line in the mountains.

Standard Gauge:  Kris Model Trains, MTH, USA Track, and Ross Custom Switches

 

O-Gauge: Lionel tubular and RMT switches

Gargraves, Ross and some Atlas cross overs.......

To clarify on my opening post, that set of track makes was just an example of a set that I used on a specific occastion.  I use 4 types of track in my ever changing 3-rail world, Atlas, FasTrack, RealTrax, and Tubular.   Run on each one or more depending on which one(s) I want to set up that particular day.

Marx, Lionel, K-Line and GarGraves.  The first three to get the curves (034, 042, 054, 072) I needed in specific spots, the GarGraves for the S-scale run.

The San Diego 3-railers use Atlas track and switches . They use Ross for switches that are hardly or never used in sections where there are curves.

We don't, but I wish we did. We use Lionel tubular track (happy with it) and Lionel 0-72 switches. Ross did not offer their tubular switches at the time the track was laid or I would have used their switches in a heart beat. This is a project for the future.

Kevin,

   I use FasTrack, RealTrax and some times Conventional Tubular depending on what I want o accomplish at Christmas time with my multi level layout.   Being able to run different track inside other track is important for my Christmas layout building.

PCRR/Dave

I don't currently have a layout, but in past layouts, I started with O-27 tubular because I inherited a 1948 lionel postwar set and that's what it came on.  I liked to change the track often so my dad picked up some MTH realtrax so I had a combination of that and the 0-27.  As I got into some "bigger" trains I upgraded to O-31 tubular, sold the realtrax.  still have some O-27 for when I wanted to squeeze one more loop on the 4'x8' plywood.  I also have a loop of K-line snap track that came with a set that has found its way on the layout once or twice.  And a recent set purchase came with a loop of fasttrack, but that's the loudest track I've ever had, so no plans to use that any time soon.  overall I'm happy with the O-31 track (and O-42 with O profile).  it's versatile and easy to work with, plus I have a good amount of postwar accessories.  also, it's dirt cheap in comparison to all the other systems

I am using 027 track and two Gargraves switches for the around the ceiling level, which I hope to finish this week. It is one loop of 027 with a siding for a passenger train to sit on for display, which I am trying to finish the passing area.

 

For the main level I will use 031 and 042 tubular track. Currently have Gargraves switches but I will be going to Ross switches when I do my main layout again, in about a month I will start on the main level. The main level will be mounted on two 4 by 8 sheets of plywood, might have a small extension into the closet area as I removed the door from the closet.

 

On the upper level I plan to use 027 track and  two 027 switches I have, maybe Gargraves switches as I update to Ross switches on the lower level. The upper level might be a combination of 027 & Gargraves straight tracks. With the 027 & O gauge tubular track I am using rubber ties that I have bought from 3R Plastics and Moondog Rubber Tie company.

Also planning to use Super Streets on the upper level, I might have a Super Streets track on the lower level. Will have to see how much room is left after putting up the new layout.

 

Lee Fritz

yes. Ross switches, Gargraves SS on the mainlines, and Atlas (concrete ties) for the yard area. For the curves, there is a mix of Gargraves sectional and flex.

I really like solid rail and the looks of Atlas track, so main layout will continue using that (as stated above). I should have added that I also like Fastrack and hope to someday have an additional small layout using that and Fastrack switches. most likely in a different location from the main layout. I started out to use Fastrack, but couldn't stand the noise. I have since found (here on the forum) several ways to combat the noise problem that should help out a lot if I ever get to do this.    

Lionel, K-Line, and Williams (Bachmann), all tubular.   I once completely switched to Atlas, but later went back to tubular.  

Well, so far, just Atlas.

I'd like to stick with it but the non-availability of the product is becoming an ever increasing nuisance for me. It's gone on WAY too long and I've pretty well had it with Atlas! It's time for them to go "pound sand!"

 

It looks like Ross track and switches, with some GG flex is in my immediate future. In fact, I might dump the Atlas track I have and start over with Ross/GG. 

 

We hear a lot about the availability problem with Atlas switches but you can't even get their track! I have no idea how the company can stay in business this way! Mystifies me totally! Atlas track is a "vaporware" product!

Only one loop on my pike,  switched it from K-Line tubular track to Atlas O a few years back.  If I were to add a second loop I would use Gargraves this time.   Like both manufacturers and would like to give Gargraves a try.

I use Atlas track and and a mixture of Atlas and Ross switches for my layout.  It works well.

 

My Christmas around the tree layout uses MTH Realtrax and Lionel Fastrack.  

 

The G&O garden railroad is all Atlas.

 

NH Joe

Just regular o gauge track. Its what i grew up with.  All different radii used and cut to fit what I need.  I have Astroturf carpet stretched like canvas on a picture frame over each piece of 1/2 in plywood.  No screw holes ever show when I make changes.  The turf provides instant uniform grass and some sound deadening.  But I do like the clackity clack of the engines and cars going through the joints as they arrive and leave each room.  To me it sounds like a real train on the local tracks.

I have been able to get Atlas track through my LHS for most of the shortage period. I haven't had a problem there. I thought some of our forum sponsors got the track back in stock around March or April, my LHS got some back then as well, but I haven't bought any for a few months. My LHS has it in their track bins in several sizes. Now the switches are a totally different story. Those are quite scarce and were supposed to be available by now, actually a few months ago. I want to expand this fall, sure hope they make it to the stores by then.

Gargraves for all visible track, 027 for all hidden track because I had it and did not see a reason to waste it.  Super o for one return loop because at the time it was the only track with curves that fit the plan.  My one regret is using it.  Tarnished easily, some wheel flanges hit the ties, one locomotive refuses to run on that section.  On the short list is the task of pulling that loop and replacing it with a similar radius of atlas because gargraves does not make fixed radius curves that match.  If there is a next layout it will either be atlas or mth scale track.  Oh, ross switches will be the standard.

Oh, sure. 

 

GG.

Curtis (now defunct; looks like Ross, was a bit cheaper).

Lionel 042 low-profile tubular (buried in dirt) in some yards.

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Switches are mostly old GG (they were new when I bought them!)

One new GG 072 on main/engine terminal lead.

Ross 8-way yard set mated with, believe it or not, Lionel 027-profile uncoupler

sections, which are themselves mated with GG for the rest of the sidings.

=====

Most of this stuff works fine, most of the time, and has for years, even subject to my benign neglect.

 

Yes. I use Lionel (both USA and China), K-Line and Marx brands of tubular track.